Methods: Six finite element models of T12 burst fractures were developed to simulate short-segment stabilization under normal or osteoporotic bone conditions, with/without augmentation screws at the fractured vertebra. Spinal stiffness, implant stresses, and axial displacement/micromotion of the bony defect were measured and compared under mechanical loading. Results: Osteoporotic models exhibited a greater range of motion (ROM) than normal bone. All six-screw constructs reduced ROM across all motions compared with traditional four-screw models. Osteoporotic fracture models gained greater benefit from intermediate screw augmentation at the fracture vertebra, which also lowered axial displacement/micromotion. In six-screw models, rod stress increased while pedicle screw stress decreased. Intermediate screws at fractured vertebrae produced similar changes in stress distribution across all fixation models, regardless of bone quality. Conclusions Our findings may facilitate implant selection for osteoporotic burst fractures, supporting the use of more rigid fixation sixscrew constructs to reduce the risk of mechanical failure and postoperative re-collapse.

ObjectiveColorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation is widely used in its clinical management. However, the biological basis underlying different TCM syndromes remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to investigate the proteomic differences between qi-blood deficiency syndrome (QBDS) and damp-heat syndrome (DHS) in CRC patients and to establish a “syndrome-differential protein-herbal component” network for exploring potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets associated with syndrome-specific treatment strategies. MethodsTumor tissue samples were collected from 10 patients with pathologically confirmed CRC, including 5 patients diagnosed with QBDS and 5 with DHS according to standardized TCM syndrome differentiation criteria. Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics was employed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the two syndrome groups. Functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, were performed to characterize the biological functions and signaling pathways associated with the identified DEPs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was further applied to screen key syndrome-related proteins and construct a core protein prediction model. Subsequently, molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the binding affinities between representative herbal compounds, astragaloside IV and berberine, and the identified core proteins. Finally, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were performed in HCT 116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cell lines to validate the anti-proliferative activities of these compounds in vitro. ResultsA total of 44 DEPs were identified between QBDS and DHS tissues, including 21 upregulated and 23 downregulated proteins in the QBDS group relative to the DHS group. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that these proteins were primarily associated with antiviral immune responses, regulation of inflammatory signaling, NF‑κB signaling pathways, cholesterol metabolism, and other biological processes relevant to tumor progression and host immune regulation. LASSO regression analysis identified eight core proteins with potential syndrome-specific significance. Among them, ST7, GPCPD1, and PODXL were closely associated with QBDS, whereas FAT1, GRB7, KRT7, MAFF, and MMP8 were associated with DHS. Molecular docking demonstrated favorable interactions between astragaloside IV and QBDS-related proteins, with binding energies lower than -5 kcal/mol, indicating stable binding activity. Berberine exhibited even lower binding energies and stronger binding specificity toward DHS-related core proteins. In vitro experiments further confirmed that both compounds inhibited CRC cell proliferation, while berberine displayed significantly greater anti-proliferative efficacy. The lowest 48 h IC₅₀ value of berberine reached 15.21 mg/L in CRC cells, indicating a stronger growth-inhibitory effect than astragaloside IV. ConclusionCRC patients with QBDS and DHS exhibit distinct proteomic characteristics, suggesting that different TCM syndromes possess unique molecular signatures. The identified core proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for syndrome differentiation, while astragaloside IV and berberine may exert therapeutic effects through targeting syndrome-specific molecular networks. These findings provide preliminary proteomic evidence supporting syndrome-guided precision integrative medicine in CRC and offer new insights into the biological basis of TCM syndrome differentiation and individualized therapeutic strategies.

Currently, the drug delivery system (DDS) based on nanomaterials has become a hot interdisciplinary research topic. One of the core issues is drug loading and controlled release, in which the key lever is carriers. Vaterite, as an inorganic porous nano-material, is one metastable structure of calcium carbonate, full of micro or nano porous. Recently, vaterite has attracted more and more attention, due to its significant advantages, such as rich resources, easy preparations, low cost, simple loading procedures, good biocompatibility and many other good points. Vaterite, gained from suitable preparation strategies, can not only possess the good drug carrying performance, like high loading capacity and stable loading efficiency, but also improve the drug release ability, showing the better drug delivery effects, such as targeting release, pH sensitive release, photothermal controlled release, magnetic assistant release, optothermal controlled release. At the same time, the vaterite carriers, with good safety itself, can protect proteins, enzymes, or other drugs from degradation or inactivation, help imaging or visualization with loading fluorescent drugs in vitro and in vivo, and play synergistic effects with other therapy approaches, like photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and thermochemotherapy. Latterly, some renewed reports in drug loading and controlled release have led to their widespread applications in diverse fields, from cell level to clinical studies. This review introduces the basic characteristics of vaterite and briefly summarizes its research history, followed by synthesis strategies. We subsequently highlight recent developments in drug loading and controlled release, with an emphasis on the advantages, quantity capacity, and comparations. Furthermore, new opportunities for using vaterite in cell level and animal level are detailed. Finally, the possible problems and development trends are discussed.

Objective To compare the application effects of plankton multiplex polymerase chain reac-tion-capillary electrophoresis(PCR-CE),SYBR Green Ⅰ real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy(MD-VF-Auto SEM)in the diagnosis of drowning.Methods Lung,liver and kidney tissues from 212 drowned corpses and 30 non-drowned corpses were examined respectively by the three drowning-related plankton testing methods,and the detection rates of plankton in each tissue by three methods were compared.Results In drowned corpses,the total detection rates of PCR-CE,qPCR,and MD-VF-Auto SEM were 93.9%,96.2%,and 95.3%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The detection rate of lung tissue by MD-VF-Auto SEM(100%)was higher than those of PCR-CE and qPCR(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the detection rates of the three methods in liver or kidney tissues(P>0.05).In non-drowning corpses,a small number of diatoms(less than 10 cells/10 g)were detected by MD-VF-Auto SEM method,only in liver and kidney tissues,while the other two methods yielded negative results for all tissues.Conclusion All three methods have good efficacy in the examination of drowned corpses.The MD-VF-Auto SEM method directly observes diatom morpho-logical characteristics through scanning electron microscopy,and the qualitative and quantitative analy-ses are intuitive and accurate.It has great advantages in the examination of difficult degradation samples.The PCR-CE method and qPCR method have a low sample demand(0.5 g),are easy to operate and have short detection time(4-7 h).They are easy to be applied in the grassroots depart-ments and are suitable for the rapid determination of drowned corpses in routin cases.The combina-tion of the two DNA methods with the MD-VF-Auto SEM method can increase the detection rate of plankton,ensuring the reliability of examination results.This combined use is of significant importance in the application of drowning diagnosis.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Coronavirus-related diseases pose a significant challenge to the global health system. Given the diversity of coronaviruses and the unpredictable nature of disease outbreaks, the traditional "one bug, one drug" paradigm struggles to address the growing number of emerging crises. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic agents with broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity. Here, we provide evidence that ATV006, an anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoside analog targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), has broad antiviral activity against human and animal coronaviruses. Using mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) as a model, we show that ATV006 has potent prophylactic and therapeutic activity against murine coronavirus infection in vivo. Remarkably, ATV006 successfully inhibits viral replication in mice even when administered 96 h after infection. Due to its oral bioavailability and potency against multiple coronaviruses, ATV006 has the potential to become a useful antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and other circulating and emerging coronaviruses in humans and animals.

Aim To explore the in vitro anti-human triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)effect and mech-anism of Austocystin R.Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of Austocystin R for various human tumor cells and normal cells.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the influence on cell cycle progression.mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection was used to evaluate the autophagic flux process.Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of Austocystin R on the expression of related pro-teins.Results The results showed that Austocystin R significantly inhibited the proliferation of multiple tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner,especially for the MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 1.45μmol·L-1.In addition,Austocystin R increased the protein expression of PTEN,p53,p-p53,p27,p21,and down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR.Austocystin R can significantly increase the proportion of S-phase MDA-MB-231 cells,inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,CDK6,Rb,Cyclin B1 and CDK1,and promote the expression of Cyclin E1 and CDK2.Austocystin R can promote the autophagic flux process of MDA-MB-231 cells,promote the expres-sion of LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ,p-Beclin-1,p-ULK1,HMGB-1 and Atg 14 proteins,and inhibit the expression of Beclin-1,ULK1,p62,ATG 3,ATG 4B,ATG 5,ATG 7,ATG 12,ATG 13 and ATG 16L1 proteins.Conclusion Austo-cystin R can exhibit its anti-TNBC activity by inhibi-ting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,blocking the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing autophagic cell death.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic and surgical strategies in managing patients with coexisting thyroid carcinoma and cervical vagal schwannoma.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed three cases treated at Guangzhou First People’s Hospital between Jun. 2019 and Dec. 2024.Results:All patients presented with neck masses or thyroid nodules. Ultrasonography identified suspicious malignant thyroid nodules and lateral neck lesions—interpreted as metastatic lymphadenopathy in two cases and as a possible nerve sheath tumor in one. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid nodules yielded Bethesda VI results in all cases. FNAC of the lateral neck lesions revealed no evidence of malignancy in all cases; in one case, a core needle biopsy confirmed a vagal schwannoma. Two patients underwent MRI, which supported the diagnosis of vagal schwannoma. Surgical management included single-stage resection in two patients and staged surgery in one. Postoperative histopathology confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma and schwannoma in all cases. Transient postoperative hoarseness occurred in two patients, with recovery within 3-6 months.Conclusions:When thyroid carcinoma is complicated by cervical vagal schwannoma, the schwannoma may be misdiagnosed as metastatic cervical lymph nodes, potentially leading to iatrogenic vagus nerve injury during neck dissection. Although cervical vagal schwannoma can be diagnosed preoperatively, simultaneous surgical treatment of both conditions may increase the risk of vocal cord paralysis, and in severe cases, result in airway compromise. Therefore, comprehensive preoperative evaluation is important. It is recommended to classify cases based on the anatomical locations of the thyroid carcinoma and vagal schwannoma to guide surgical planning, and to use intraoperative nerve monitoring to enhance surgical safety and avoid serious complications.

Objective:To describe the positive rates of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA and serum-neutralizing antibody in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) tissues of rural women in Xiangyuan County, Shanxi Province, and evaluate the association of HR-HPV DNA and neutralizing antibody positive status with the occurrence of CIN.Methods:In a cohort of 1 897 women aged 35-45 years established by the Shanxi Province Cervical Cancer Screening StudyⅠ, DNA typing (SPF10 PCR-DEIA-LiPA25) was performed by using tissue samples of women with positive HR-HPV test results [Hybrid CaptureⅡ(HC2)] or abnormal cytological or pathological results. Serum HR-HPV neutralizing antibody detection was conducted with multicolor pseudovirion-based neutralization assay. Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to analyze the changing trend of the positive rate of HR-HPV DNA and neutralizing antibody with the progression of CIN. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the influence and multiplicative interaction of HR-HPV DNA and neutralizing antibody positive status on the occurrence of CIN. The relative excess risk ( RERI), attributable proportion of interaction ( AP), and the synergy index ( SI) of the interaction were calculated to evaluate the additive interaction of HR-HPV DNA and neutralizing antibody on the occurrence of CIN. Results:The positive rate of any type of HR-HPV DNA (HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68) in 479 women who were HC2 positive or had abnormal cytological or pathological detection results was 37.16%. In normal, CIN1, CIN2, and CIN3+ groups, the HR-HPV DNA positive rates were 18.03%, 49.53%, 90.24% and 94.59%, respectively. The positive rate of any type of HR-HPV neutralizing antibody was 63.88%. In normal, CIN1, CIN2, and CIN3+ groups, the positive rates of HR-HPV neutralizing antibody were 63.95%, 57.94%, 70.73%, and 72.97%, respectively. The positive rate of any type of HR-HPV neutralizing antibody was 53.31% in 1 418 women who were HC2 negative and had normal cytopathology, and the most common types were HPV51 (27.36%) and HPV39 (24.96%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that any type of HR-HPV DNA positive status ( OR=9.15, 95% CI: 5.99-14.20, P<0.001) was the independent factor for the occurrence of CIN, HR-HPV neutralizing antibody positive status was not associated with the occurrence of CIN ( OR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.61-1.48, P=0.815). The OR value of the multiplication of HR-HPV DNA and neutralizing antibody positive status of the occurrence of CIN was 1.63 (95% CI: 0.67-3.95), P=0.283. Quantitative analysis of interaction showed that RERI was 1.65 (95% CI:-3.56-6.86), SI was 1.28 (95% CI: 0.58-2.82), and AP was 0.19 (95% CI:-0.36-0.75). Conclusions:HR-HPV DNA positive status was a risk factor for the occurrence of CIN, but neutralizing antibody positive status was not associated with the occurrence of CIN. They had no significant multiplicative or additive interaction with the occurrence of CIN.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.